Posted on 12/01/2008 12:29:41 PM PST by AlexBoulem
"Durbin may ask Bush to commute Ryan sentence"
In eight words this Chicago Tribune headline (Nov. 26) summed up everything you need to know about Illinois politics.
Yes, that is "Durbin" as in Dick Durbin, Illinois' senior U.S. Senator, a 25-year Democrat member of Congress, and the national co-chairman of the Obama presidential campaign. And the Ryan is none other than George Ryan, the disgraced former Republican governor sentenced to 6.5 years of breaking big rocks into little ones for operating a taxpayer-funded den of thieves as Secretary of State and then as Governor.
Durbin has all but said that Ryan's remaining prison sentence of more than five years should be commuted; now it is simply a matter of whether Durbin is willing to endure the political heat for taking action.
He certainly need not worry about heat from Republicans. Former Republican Governor Jim Thompson, Ryan's defense attorney (pro bono, because, hey, we're all friends here), was quick to lavish praise on Durbin. Former Republican Governor Jim Edgar also leaned that way saying, "George Ryan's paid a pretty big price...I'm not sure that a few more years (in prison) is all that much more punishment to him."
Gee, Governor Edgar, you know who else paid a "pretty big price"? The nine people, including six children, killed by drivers who obtained their licenses illegally from George Ryan's office. I would love to get their input on those "few more years" but, well, they are dead.
For it is the views of the victims--not those of George Ryan and his apologists--that are relevant here. Those victims include the taxpayers of Illinois, all of whom were defrauded.
What statement of contrition do these men of letters from Illinois' ruling party present to the victims for consideration? "His conscience is as clear as his mind," Ryan's wife told the Chicago Sun-Times. "If he had it to do over--and I've heard him say this--he would govern the same way as he did before."
If George Ryan's conscience is clear, than he is not asking himself the right questions. I for one think his current residence is the ideal place for further introspection. He can take all the time he needs.
The federal government's Operation Safe Road investigation in which Ryan was ultimately snared also produced corruption convictions against some 75 other individuals.
75 federal felony convictions of associates and subordinates. Nine individuals in the ground, an unintended but very real consequence of the corruption that took place on his watch. And George Ryan is a man with no regrets. Not a single lesson learned. Yet, Durbin, Thompson, and Edgar are all ready to sign Ryan's walking papers.
In Illinois, it's not that establishment Republicans and Democrats are too cozy; it's that they are indistinguishable--and unrepentant.
NO pardon for Ryan !
The Louisiana elegation would like to add Edwin Edwards to the NO PARDON list.
There, fixed.
Ditto, Fast Eddie needs to stay where he is.
In the Middle Ages, kings won’t executed a king who captured in battle. He was held for ransom. I wonder what Durbin’s getting in return?
He just got reelected with no credible GOP opposition. Durbin has been paid in full by the RINO wing of the IL Combine.
Is that being considered? The hell?
Makes me glad we elected Vitter to the House in 1999 and not Treen. Treen is so in the tank for an Edwards pardon, the same man that bounced him out of the governor’s mansion in 1983. And he’s not the only LA Republican that wants an Edwards pardon! Are these people nuts?
I haven’t heard anything lately but I understand Bush had been approached earlier.
They’re all part of the same corrupt political class. I think it’s often better to remain an outsider, because as soon as you become an insider, your ideals, ethics and morals become seriously warped.
It's true, but you end up like Ron Paul or Sarah Palin - ridiculed by professionals at destroying your public image and unable to ever accomplish anything in the future. Many if not most elected officials decide to "go along to get along", hoping they can at least have some influence over the process in time.
Paul is one thing, but to imply Palin will never accomplish anything in the future is absurd. I expect she will be our nominee in 2012.
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